The rivalry begins ... Asheville Post 70 vs. Haywood Post 47

Photo by: Patrick PartonHaywood Post 47’s Mark Thompson (Smoky Mountain) slides into third base head first during Thursday’s American Legion baseball game with Hickory Post 48 at Tuscola Ballpark.

Anytime a team from Haywood County plays a team from Buncombe County, especially in baseball, you can count on it being a hotly-contested contest.Although with only a 1-2 record in Area IV West Division so far in its first season in 61 years, Dragoons Manager Caleb McConnell has no real qualms with the way his ballclub has played.“We are loaded with eight sophomores and four juniors, and despite being young, which was by design, we have swung the bats very well and played for the most part, solid defense,” said McConnell. “If we can get the pitching straightened out that will surprise a lot of folks, especially being a first-year franchise in American Legion baseball. I think we have already shown in three games that we will not back down from anyone. We’re in it to win it.”At the beginning of the season when the schedules were made, every one associated with the Dragoons Baseball Club highlighted two dates they played Asheville Post 70. Haywood Post 47 and Asheville Post 70 square off tonight for their first meeting of the American Legion Area IV West Division regular season.“Asheville Post 70 has a long successful history playing in legion ball and they are considered every year to be one of the top teams that will contend for the West Division pennant,” said McConnell. “We are the new kid on the block. But it’s still ironic, because the players on both teams know each other very well and compete against each other every baseball season. Plus, they are our next door neighbor and that makes them our biggest rival.”The first pitch will be thrown at 7:05 p.m. at Tuscola Ballpark, which is located next to Junaluska Elementary in Waynesville. Tickets for tonight’s game are $5 for adults, $4 for students, $4 for senior citizens and children 12-and-under are free. The Dragoons’ Sunday game at Shelby Post 82 and Monday night’s contest at Caldwell County Post 29 were rained out. Haywood Post 47 and Shelby agreed to makeup the game on Monday, July 1 as a doubleheader (a pair of seven-inning games), beginning at 5 p.m. at Tuscola Ballpark. The makeup game at Caldwell County has yet to be determined. All of Haywood Post 47 home games are broadcast live by Chad Upton, Chris Collins and Andy Rogers on AM 1400 WMXF and streamed live via The Mountaineer’s website at www.themountaineer.com.